Business machine



y 7, 1968 G. R. SSSSS NY 3,381,957

SSSSSSSSSSSSS NE May 7, 1968 G. R. SPALENY BUSINESS MACHINE 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed April 11, 1966 INVENTOR. GEORGE R. SPALEN ATTORNEY May 7, 1968 G. R. SPALENY BUSINESS MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 11, 1966 May 7, 1968 G. R. SPALENY BUSINESS MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 11, 1966 Q3 VN INVENTOR GEORGE R. SPALENY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,381,957 BUSINESS MACHINE George R. Spaleny, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,778 12 Claims. (Cl. 271-84) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for rapid simultaneous accurate movement of a plurality of business forms or the like for operation thereupon. The apparatus is particularly adapted for simultaneous movement of a plurality of business forms, one business form being a business form from which information is obtained and another business form being one to which information is applied.

Background of the invention An object of this invention is the provision of apparatus which precisely moves a business form or the like with respect to reader mechanism or the like for reading thereof while simultaneously precisely moving another business form with respect to mechanism which applies information thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus which precisely maintains the relative positions of the business forms one with respect to the others during movement thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is capable of handling single or multiple business forms of which one or more of the forms may be a tabulating card.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which can accommodate business forms of card or sheet stock or of material other than paper.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is capable of accommodating business forms of various dimensions.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of the invention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a side sectional view of apparatus of this invention showing elements thereof in a given position of operation.

FIGURE 5 is a side sectional View similar to FIGURE 4, showing the elements thereof in another position of operation.

FIGURE 6 is a side sectional view similar to FIG- URES 4 and 5, showing the elements thereof in another position of operation.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end View taken substantially on line 77 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary top plan View taken substantially at line 8--8 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1010 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the apparatus as it appears in FIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, apparatus of this invention comprises any suitable support structure, herein shown as a base to which carries wall members 18 and 20.

The base 16 is preferably disposed substantially horizontally while the wali members 28 and 26 extend upwardly therefrom.

Intermediate the walls 18 and 2d and carried thereby above the base 16 is a table 2 2. The table 2.2 is provided with a recess 23. A table 24 is substantially coplanar with the table 22 and is shown in FIGURES l and 2 as being supported by the wall 18 as it extends laterally therefrom. The table 24 has a recess 25.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the table 22 has a pair of longitudinally aligned elongate slots 26 and 23 adjacent the wall 18. The table 24 has a pair of longitudinally aligned elongate slots 3i; and 32, adjacent the wall 18.

The table 22 has elongate side rails or side members 34 which are provided with a pair of notches 36 and a pair of notches 37. The table 24 has side rails or side members 38 which are provided with a pair of notches 4t) and a pair of notches 41.

A rack 42, best shown in FIGURE 2, is composed of a plurality of U-shaped rigid wire members 44 and a plurality of cross-members 4-6. One of the cross-members as has extending ends which are disposed within the pair of notches 35. Thus, the rack 42 is disposed between the side members 34. The notches 3:: have sufiicient depth so that the rack 42 normally rests upon the table 22. The ends of the U-shaped wire members 44 are bent upwardly.

A rack 59 is composed of a plurality of elongate rigid wire members 52 and a plurality of cross-members 54. One of the cross-members 54 has protruding ends which are adapted to be disposed within the pair of notches 37. Thus, the rack 56 is disposed between the side members 34 and normally rests upon the table 22.

A rack 58 is composed of a plurality of U-shaped rigid wire members 6 and a plurality of cross-members 62. One of the cross-members 62 has protruding ends which are disposed Within the notches 49 as the rack 58 is disposed between the side rails 38 and normally rests upon the table 24. The ends of the rigid wire members as are turned upwardly.

A rack 64 is composed of a plurality of elongate rigid wire members 66, the forward ends of which are turned upwardly, and a plurality of cross-members 68. One of the cross-members as has protruding ends which are disposed within the notches 41 as the rack 64 is disposed between the side rails 38 and normally rests upon the table 24.

A carriage 76 is movably supported by the wall 13. The wall 13 has an elongate slot 72 therein within which a support surface 74 is formed at the lower portion thereof, as shown in FIGURE 3. The carriage '70 is provided with a plurality of wheels 76 which rest upon the surface '74. Each of the wheels 76 is rotatably mounted upon a stem 78 which extends through the slot 72. Each stem 78 also extends through an elongate bracket 82 which is disposed on one side of the wall 18 and through an elongate bracket 84 which is disposed on the opposite side of the wall 18. Each stem 78 has a head 86 which engages the bracket 82. A helical spring 88 encompasses each stem 78 and engages the bracket 84. A nut 9i? is threadedly attached to each stem 78 and engages the spring SS and urges the spring 88 into engagement with the bracket 84. Thus, the brackets 82 and 84 are urged one toward the other and toward the wall 18 by the springs 88.

The bracket as has a plurality of shafts 92 extending vertically therethrough, there being a shaft 92 adjacent each end portion of the bracket 84. At the upper portion of each shaft 92, a wheel 94 is rotatably carried thereby. At the lower portion of each shaft 92, a wheel 96 is rotat-ably carried thereby. A washer and retaining ring assembly 97 at each end of each shaft 92 retains the wheels 9dand N thereupon. The wheels 94 engage the side surface of the wall 18 and are movable above the slot 72. The wheels 96 engage the side surface of the wall 18 and are movable below the slot 72.

The bracket 32 has a plurality of shafts 98 extending vertically therethrough, there being a shaft 98 adjacent each end portion of the bracket 82. At the upper portion of each shaft 18, a wheel 1% is rotatably carried thereby. At the lower portion of each shaft 98 a wheel 102 is rotatably carried thereby. A washer and retaining ring assembly 1M at each end of each shaft 93 retains the wheels 1019 and 1112 thereupon. The Wheels 1% engage tie side surface of the wall 18 and are movable above the slot '72. The wheels 1122 engage the side surface of the wall 13 and are movable below the slot 72. The wheels 94 and 6 engage the wall 18 on one side surface thereof and the wheels 1% and 1112 engage the Wall 13 on the opposite side surface thereof.

A plurality of studs 1118 are shown attached to the bracket 82 and extend through the slot 72 of the wall 18 and are snugly disposed within the bracket 84. The studs 1118 may be employed, if desired, to aid in maintaining the proper relationship between the brackets 32 and The bracket 82 also has a plurality of studs 112 attached thereto which extend therefrom in a direction away from the bracket The studs 112 extend through an elongate member 114 for support thereof. The elongate memher 114 is provided with teeth 115 along an edge thereof. A nut and washer assembly 116 is carried by each stud 112 and firmly secures the elongate member 114 to the studs 112.

A gear Wheel 118 is carried by a shaft 12a for rotation therewith. The shaft 120 is journalled in a socket 121 and is joined to any suitable motor means 123 in any suitable manner for rotation thereby. The gear wheel 118 is in meshed relationship with the teeth 115 of the elongate member 114 for linear movement of the elongate member 114 with rotative movement of the gear Wheel 118.

The bracket 84- has an upwardly extending extension portion 122 at one end thereof and an upwardly extending extension portion 124 at the other end thereof. An abutment member 126 is attached to the extension portion 122 by means of screws 128. The abutment member 126 has an abutment portion 131} adjustably attached thereto by means of a pair of integral studs 132 which slidably extend through the abutment member 126. Each of the studs 132 is shown as having a nut 134 attached thereto at the end thereof for retaining the studs 132 upon the abutment member 126. A spring member 1136 encompasses each stud 132 between the abutment member 126 and the abutment portion 139 and urges the abutment portion 136 in a direction from the abutment member 126. The abutment member 126 with the abutment portion 131) thereof is disposed within the slot 28 of the table 22. The abutment portion of the abutment member 126 extends slightly above the table 22 and is movable with respect to the table 22 with movement of the carriage 70.

An abutment member 138 is secured to the extension portion 124 by means of screws 14%. The abutment member 138 is disposed within the slot 26 of the table 22. The abutment member 133 extends slightly above the table 22 and is movable with respect to the table 22 with movement of the carriage 7 it.

The bracket 82 has an upwardly extending extension portion 144 at one end thereof and an upwardly extending extension portion 146 at the other end thereof. An abutment member 14-8 is secured to the extension portion 144 by means of screws 150. An abutment member 152 is socured to the extension portion 146 by means of screws 154. The abutment member 152 is disposed within the slot 32 of the table 24 and is movable with respect to the table 24 with movement of the carriage 7d. The abutment member The apparatus of this invention is adapted to receive a plurality of business forms or the like for simultaneous movement thereof for operation upon at least one of the business forms.

In FIGURE 1 a business form is shown disposed upon the table 24 and below the rack 58. The business form 170 closely fits between the side rails 38. The business form 1711 may be manually moved into such position by grasping the right hand end portion thereof. The recess 25 in the table 24 permits a persons fingers to readily move the business form 170 into the position shown in FIGURE 1, without appreciable bending thereof. Preferably, the business form 171) is of card stock material or the like which provides at least a slight degree of rigidity thereto. As the business form 170 is moved into the position shown in FIGURE 1, the form 170 moves over the abutment member 148 and becomes disposed between the abutment member 148 and the abutment member 152, which extend slightly above the table 24.

As the business form 170 is moved into the position shown in FIGURE 1, the rack 58 moves slightly upwardly to permit the business form 170 to move between the rack 58 and the table 24. Thus, the rack 58 rests upon the business form 170 and urges the business form 170 toward the table 2 1. The rack 58 and the racks 42, 50, and 64 are of such predetermined distributed weight that each rack is capable of firmly urging a business form toward the table 22 or 24 upon which the business form rests, without creating excessive pressure thereupon. The business form 170 may be a business form which is pro vided wtih certain information Which can be read by any suitable reader unit 172, shown in broken lines, disposed above the table 24.

A business from 176 is shown in FIGURE 1 resting upon the table 22 and disposed below the rack 42 as the rack 42 rests upon the business form 176. The business form 176 is moved into such position in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to the business form 170. The business form 176 may be a single card or the like or may consist of a plurality of forms arranged in a set or pack. The business form 176 closely fits between the side rails 34. The business form 176 is disposed between the abutment member 138 and the abutment portion 130 of the abutment member 126. Normally in so positioning the business form 176, the abutment portion 130 is urged in a direction from the abutment member 126 by the springs 136. Thus, the business form 176 becomes lightly clamped between the abutment member 138 and the abutment portion 130 of the abutment member 126. Adjustable movement of the aboutment portion 131) with respect to the abutment member 126 permits accommodation of business forms of various lengths between the abutment members 126 and 138.

The business form 176 is preferably a form to which information is to be provided. Such information may be provided, at least in part, by any suitable information application unit 180, which is shown in broken lines above the table 22. The information application unit 180 may be capable of providing information to the business form 176 by punching holes therein and/or by printing thereupon or by any other suitable means.

After the business forms 170 and 176 are positioned in the manner shown in FIGURES 1 and 8, the motor means 123 is operated so that the gear wheel 118 is rotated. Rotation of the gear wheel 118 causes linear movement of the elongate member 114. Thus, the carriage 70 is moved to the left, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The carriage 70 moves as the wheels 76 roll upon the surface 74. Thus, the brackets 82 and 84 of the carriage "7d are moved. The bracket 82 carries therewith the abut- 5 ment members 148 and 152 with the business form 170 therebetween. The bracket 84 carries therewith the abutment members 138 and 126 with the business form 176 therebetween.

Thus, movement of the carriage 70 causes movement of the business forms 176 and 176. Thus, the business form 170 is accurately moved between the side rails 38 and upon the table 24. The business form 170 in its travel to the left to the position shown in FIGURE 5 moves under the reader unit 172 and information carried by the business form 170 is read by the reader unit 172. In such travel, the business form 170 moves, at least partially, under the rack 64 and is urged thereby toward the table 24.

Simultaneously, with movement of the business form 170, the business form 176 is moved. The business form 176 is moved between the side rails 34 and upon the table 22. During movement of the business form 176 to the left to the position shown in FIGURE 5, the form 176 moves, at least partially, under the rack 50 and is urged thereby toward the table 22. The business form 176 moves between the information application unit 180 and the table 22 for application of information thereto. Thus, information is applied to the business form 176 simultaneously with the reading of the business form 170. Information read by the reader unit 172 from the business form 170 may be simultaneously transmitted to the application unit 180 and applied to the business form 176 by the application unit 180 and/or information received from another source or sources may be applied to the business form 176.

Due to the fact that the position of the business form 17 with respect to the business form 176 is firmly maintained during movement thereof and due to the fact that the business forms 170 and 176 occupy similar positions with respect to the units 172 and 180, respectively, information carried by the business form 170* at a given position thereof may be applied in a similar position to the business form 176. Furthermore, due to the fact that the carriage 70 is accurately and precisely moved, information from sources other than that carried by the business form 170 can be accurately applied to the business form 17 6 by means of the application unit 180-.

The carriage 70 may be caused to move to any desired position to the left as shown in FIGURE for movement of the business forms 17 0 and 17 6.

Then, after travel of the carriage 70 to the left to the extent desired, rotation of the gear Wheel 118 is reversed and the carriage 70 is moved toward the right, as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

A suitable switch member 190 having a plunger 192 is shown. The switch 190 may be used if desired to indicate that the carriage 70 is disposed in its proper start position or in its proper stop position, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Although the .preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising:

a substantially vertical wall provided with an elongate slot therethrough forming a substantially horizontal support surface, the wall having a pair of opposed side surfaces,

a pair of table members, there being one table member at each side surface of the wall and in juxtaposition therewith, each table member having an elongate slot therein,

a plurality of substantially horizontal stems extending through the elongate slot in the Wall,

a plurality of wheel members, there being one wheel member rotatably carried by each of the stems, each wheel member resting upon the support surface,

a plurality of elongate bracket members, there being one bracket member disposed at each of the side surfaces of the Wall and attached to the stems for support thereby, there thus being one bracket member adjacent each of the table members and movable with respect thereto,

a plurality of abutment members, there being a pair of spaced-apart abutment members carried by each bracket member, the pair of abutment members being movably disposed within the slot of the table which is adjacent its respective bracket member, each pair of abutment members being adapted to retain a business form therebetween for movement thereof,

a plurality of roller members, there being a pair of roller members carried adjacent each end of each of the bracket members and rotatable about a vertical axis, each roller member being engageable with the side surface of the wall which is adjacent its respective bracket member,

an elongate linear member having teeth along an edge thereof, the elongate linear member being attached to one of the bracket members,

a rotatable gear member disposed adjacent the elongate linear member and in meshed relationship with the teeth thereof, rotation of the gear member thus causing linear movement of the elongate toothed member and thus causing linear movement of the bracket members and linear movement of the abutment members carried thereby.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which one of the abutment members is provided with an adjustably movable abutment portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stems include resilient means for urging the bracket members one toward the other.

4. Apparatus of the type described comprising:

support structure provided with an elongate support surface,

roller means disposed upon the support surface and rotatably movable thereupon,

support means attached to the roller means for movement therewith, the support means being disposed at opposed lateral positions with respect to the elongate support surface,

business form retainer means carried by the support means at each of said opposed lateral positions and movable with the support means, each of said retainer means being adapted to retain a business form for movement thereof,

and means connected to the support means for movement thereof.

5. Apparatus of the type described comprising:

support structure including a substantially vertical wall provided with an elongate slot therethrough forming a support surface, the wall having a pair of opposed side surfaces,

a pair of spaced-apart elongate side rails carried by the support structure and disposed on each side of the wall and substantially parallel thereto, each pair of the side rails being adapted to retain a business form therebetween,

a pair of bracket members, there being a bracket member adjacent each of the side surfaces of the wall,

a plurality of stems extending through the slot of the wall and joined to the bracket members in supporting relationship thereto,

a plurality of helical spring members, there being a spring member encompassing each of the stems and urging the bracket members one toward the other,

a plurality of wheel members, there being a wheel member rotatably carried by each of the stems and in engagement with the support surface formed by the slot in the wall,

a plurality of roller members, there being a pair of roller members carried by each of the bracket members and in engagement with the respective side surface of the wall, one of the roller members engaging the side surface of the wall at a position above the slot and the other roller member engaging the side surface of the wall at a position below the slot, each of the roller members being rotatable about a vertical axis,

a pair of spaced-apart abutment members carried by each of the bracket members, there being a pair of abutment members disposed between each pair of side rails and adapted to retain a business form therebetween for movement thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim in which a rack member is disposed between each pair of the side rails for retaining a business form therebetween.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which each rack member comprises a plurality of elongate members which extend substantially parallel with the side rails and a plurality of cross-members which extend substantially normal to the side rails.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 in which a table member is disposed intermediate each pair of side rails, each table member being provided with an elongate slot through which the abutment members extend.

9. Apparatus for movement of business forms comprising:

support structure provided with an elongate support surface,

carriage means, the carriage means including:

roller means disposed upon the support surface and rotatably movable with respect thereto, stern means disposed within the roller means, the

stem means having a first extending portion and a second extending portion, the portions extending in opposed directions from the roller means,

a pair of bracket members, there being a bracket member carri d by each of the extending portions of the stem means,

a plurality of abutment members, there being a pair of abutment members carried by each bracket member, each pair of abutment members being adapted to retain a business form therebetween for movement thereof,

and means for movement of the carriage means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the support structure includes table means disposed adjacent the bracket members for business form support, the table means being provided with elongate slots therein, the abutment members which are carried by the bracket members being disposed within the slots for movement of the business forms with respect to the table means.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the means for movement of the carriage means includes means operably joined to one of the bracket members for movement thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the support structure includes a wall member which has a pair of opposed side surfaces, each of the side surfaces being engaged by one of the bracket members, each of the bracket members being movable along its respective side surface of the wall member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,007 10/1932 Sheel 198-181 3,117,668 1/1964- Weihe l98181 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner. 

